Tips For Safe Interstate Riding - 1st Road Trip

[slo-ride]

I may be riding from the Atlanta, GA to the North Mississippi area along I-20. I've never been on the interstate on my bike but I have racked up just over 1300 miles on it and I've made this trip many times in my car. It is 250 miles one way. With that said, I want to be as safe as possible. I'd appreciate any safe riding tips from all of you interstate pros.

Thanks.

 

[El Toro]

In my book, the most important tip on the interstate is the same most important tip on any road, and that is that you should constantly be thinking about the 2 second box in front of you. What can come into that box at your speed, and how would you react and avoid it?

The other most important tip is respect your need for rest. Make regular stops to relax a bit.

And, I suppose it wouldn't be a good list if you weren't also encouraged to respect the other vehicles and their space. You can only control your own vehicle, so do your best with this activity, don't overrun your lights or your brakes, and think about that 2 second box out front.

 

[GunMD]

While not specific to traveling the slab, here are some great LD tips from the IBA.

EDIT: Oh, and even though it's covered in the link I provided....stay the hell away from trucks (except to pass them).

 

[Thumperbike]

Stolen from a previous similar topic: If you see an alligator (part of a blown truck tire), be aware that there will most likely be more.

 

[pinhead]

stay the hell away from trucks (except to pass them).

And stay out of on-coming lanes

 

[Lee B.]

I may be riding from the Atlanta, GA to the North Mississippi area along I-20. I've never been on the interstate on my bike but I have racked up just over 1300 miles on it and I've made this trip many times in my car. It is 250 miles one way. With that said, I want to be as safe as possible. I'd appreciate any safe riding tips from all of you interstate pros.
Thanks.

Slo,

I feel riding with confidence but not over confidence is the best. If you are new to slab travel I'd suggest you time your start time for the least amount of traffic as you can. Then build up your confidence. That first time being passed by a semi or passing a semi can get your attention if you are not ready for it. You have probably felt the air stream of the semis in your car. They will be worse on the bike. Be ready for them, be expecting to be blown around some. Cross winds can take some getting used to, too. Back to passing semis---I like to get around them and get on down the road. I've got a riding buddy that when he leads he takes forever to get around the semi. I like to be around them and back in the right lane in seconds not minutes. The longer you are running along side the semi the longer you are at risk. Just my two cents.

Lee

 

[okmac]

If you are going faster than traffic , no one is going to rear end you.

Mac

 

[vandy]

I usually try to stay alert by trying to know where every vehicle is at exactly in front/beside/ and behind me..

Then I determine weather they intend to pass me,, slow down or turn before they give any indication of it.

It is usually best to go about 5 mph above the flow of traffic unless that will get you into real ticket range.

 

[slo-ride]

:clapping: Thanks for the great tips! What about supplies for the road? I don't have to worry about luggage or an overnight bag but what about "road" supplies. Anything other than the usual flash light, cell phone, etc...?

 

[7xray]

The other most important tip is respect your need for rest. Make regular stops to relax a bit.

And don't forget to keep hydrated. It is amazing how your mental status deteriorates when you need fluids.

Good luck and have fun.

7X

 

[uctofeej]

I've ridden the slab through Mississippi many times. The others have already said you need to hydrate, can't stress that enough! Drink, drink, drink! Mississippi welcome centers at the state line give free coffee, coke, sprite, etc. Take advantage of it. You might also want to toss a water bottle in your bags, just in case.

You probably already know, the summer storms come up fast and furious in the afternoons, so plan accordingly.

As for interstate riding, the others have already covered most of it. I would also suggest that you stay farthest away in your lane as you can. I ride on the right side when I'm in the right lane and vice versa just to give the cagers and trucks a little extra room for crazy manuevers.

Lastly, I can tell you that MS state troopers will be patrolling I-55 just north of Jackson. They're usually around Canton for some reason, so watch your speed if you go that direction.

Just relax and enjoy the ride, you'll settle into it pretty easily after a little while.

 

[Spook]

stay out of the cages blind spots. Speed up or slow down to keep out of them.

 

[UHOH]

I try to avoid staying in a car's blind spot, and my remedy is acceleration.

" " " avoid traveling alongside trucks, and my remedy is acceleration.

So if I'm passing I'm either going a little bit swiftly or accelerating to do so.

Generally on a freeway, I'll pick out the fastest moving car / group and travel with them.

enjoy traveling with your new bike

 

[gasportrider]

:clapping: Thanks for the great tips! What about supplies for the road? I don't have to worry about luggage or an overnight bag but what about "road" supplies. Anything other than the usual flash light, cell phone, etc...?

There is plenty of room under the seats for a portable air pump such as a "slime" and a tire repair kit. Getting to the battery is a hassle, so I have equipped my bike with a BMW plug Powerlet outlet with a Powerlet male plug for the compressor. I just got a friend with a flat tire going again in less than 30 minutes. It beats the hell out of waiting for a flat bed and having your baby towed.

 

[cota95]

+1 on the Slime and a tire repair kit. This makes you the master of your domain for simple nails and punctures.

 

[ctfjr]

I never ride behind ANYTHING that I can't see past

I always considered the right hand lane (in a multilane interstate) the most dangerous - someone will eventually cut you off as they try to take an exit from a lane to your left. Vehicles merging from on ramps always present dangerous situations.

As said by pevious posters keep hydrated - I always force myself to get & drink a lo cal beverage at every gas stop.

ATGATT

 

[Mackeroni]

Slo,

Regarding riding the interstate, there is one piece of advice that applies everywhere... Ride like you are invisible. Do not count on anyone to see you. Stay out of blind spots and if you pass someone, car or truck, do not waste any time in their slip stream.

Regarding what to take... a 250 mile ride is really nothing to worry about. It's not like you're crossing the plains in a covered wagon. There is only such a very small chance of any trouble in that short distance. Make sure you have a cell phone to call for help and a credit card to pay for it when it gets there. Generally, in the Eastern half of the US, there is a gas station every 150 yards or so.

On my first real long distance ride, I rode my FZ1 from Ohio to Nevada and back in 2004 on the 'scenic' route... 5,300 miles round trip in 16 days. I lugged along enough manuals, tools, spare bulbs, fuses, patch kits, compressors, spare bolts, chain links and miscellaneous parts to rebuild the bike if necessary. Guess what. The only tool I needed was a pair of pliers to help a teen on a dirt bike wire up his jerry-rigged fuel line. Since then, I travel much lighter.

 

[slo-ride]

+1 on the Slime and a tire repair kit. This makes you the master of your domain for simple nails and punctures.

Where does one buy a "slime" type air pump? I'm not even sure I know what that is. I do have a 12V compressor that powered by a cigarette lighter adapter but it is just smaller than a shoe box. I could easily fit it in one of my saddle bags along with a can of fix-a-flat.

 

[snakehunter]

stay out of the cages blind spots. Speed up or slow down to keep out of them.

X2 on staying out of blind spots - think of yourself as being invisible.....